Bail for an expelled Fitchburg State University student charged with possessing a military ammunition belt last week was reduced from $50,000 cash to $500 cash by a Worcester Superior Court judge Wednesday.

A group of 52 friends, family and Fitchburg State University students filled the courtroom as Andrew K. Despres’ lawyer argued for his client’s release.

Judge Richard T. Tucker reduced Mr. Despres’ bail to $500, which his parents said they would be able to post by the end of the day. Friends of Mr. Despres were handing cash over to his mother, Doreen J. Despres, outside the courtroom.

Mrs. Despres hugged several people outside the courtroom, thanking them for their support.

Nate Bobowski, an FSU student, handed $50 to Mrs. Despres for bail money. He gathered the signatures of everyone there to give to Mrs. Despres.

Mr. Despres, who was being held at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction, appeared on a monitor wearing an orange jumpsuit for his bail hearing. His parents listened quietly as their son’s lawyer, Mark Meehan, argued for the young man’s release.

Prosecutors portrayed Mr. Despres as the next murderous student prepared to go on a rampage, Mr. Meehan said. That is a false representation of the man who achieved Eagle Scout status and once conducted a coat drive for charity, Mr. Meehan argued in court.

“This courtroom is packed with family and friends of the defendant,” Mr. Meehan said, speaking about the show of support for Mr. Despres.

Mr. Despres has no criminal record and was made an example of, but it was his client’s style and manner of dress that were held against him, the defense lawyer said.

Mr. Despres said the ammunition is not functioning and the belt had been worn several times on campus with no problems before the incident that caused him to be punished. Assistant District Attorney Joseph A. Simmons said test results on the belt have not come back yet.

Mr. Despres’ grandmother believed court and campus officials overreacted in light of the Newtown, Conn., shooting and other events across the country.

“He’s such a good kid. He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Barbara Despres said. “I think it was just a little too much. The belt was fake.”

Mr. Simmons argued for the $50,000 bail to remain in place.

Judge Tucker reduced the bail and ordered Mr. Despres to be in the custody of his mother if released. Mr. Despres will be placed on a monitoring device and restricted to confinement in his mother’s home.

Mr. Despres may not contact Fitchburg State students or the school or be on campus.

The FSU sophomore was expelled Dec. 17 under the school’s zero-tolerance policy for allegedly possessing marijuana, knives and firecrackers on school grounds. He also was suspected of defacing property in a dorm bathroom. He was told he needed to notify campus police if he intended to return to campus.

Mr. Simmons said a fake gun, a box cutter and other items found in Mr. Despres’ dorm room were props for films he had created at Fitchburg State.

Mr. Despres returned to school Dec. 18 to retrieve belongings and was arrested on charges of trespassing and possession of ammunition.

Mr. Despres had stayed with a friend after being expelled and had only the clothes on his back and no food. He returned to the university to get food and clothing, Mr. Meehan said.

Mr. Despres was arraigned in Fitchburg District Court Dec. 19 on charges of trespassing on state or county property and possessing ammunition without a Firearm Identification Card.